Why the Sorento is the Ultimate Family SUV

A Powertrain for Every Lifestyle

One of the Sorento's biggest strengths is its wide range of powertrain options, ensuring there's a perfect match for every family's driving habits and priorities. Kia offers four distinct choices, including two impressive electrified versions. For those focused on maximizing fuel economy, the Sorento Hybrid is a compelling option. It combines a turbocharged engine with an electric motor to produce a healthy 227 horsepower, delivering smooth acceleration and fewer trips to the pump. If you're ready to embrace electric driving for your daily commute, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is the star of the lineup. It boasts a combined 261 horsepower and offers up to 31 miles of all-electric range on a full charge. This means you can handle school drop-offs, grocery runs, and local errands without using a drop of gasoline. For longer road trips, the gasoline engine seamlessly takes over, eliminating any range anxiety.

Rugged Style Meets Family Function

The Sorento sheds the uninspired look of traditional family haulers for a design that’s bold, modern, and rugged. Drawing inspiration from Kia’s popular flagship Telluride, the Sorento’s updated front end commands attention. It features squared-off edges, a distinctive rectangular grille, and striking vertical LED headlights that give it a confident and assertive presence on the road. This isn’t just an SUV designed to blend in; it’s designed to stand out.

The thoughtful design continues inside, where a spacious and well-appointed cabin awaits. With three rows of seating, there's ample room for the whole family and even a few friends. The interior materials are high-quality, and the layout is both stylish and intuitive, putting essential controls within easy reach.

An SUV That's Actually Fun to Drive

A family vehicle shouldn't be boring to drive, and the Sorento ensures it isn't. The available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is a highlight, delivering surprisingly peppy performance. Paired with a smooth eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), this powertrain provides immediate and consistent power, making acceleration feel effortless whether you're pulling away from a stoplight or merging onto a busy highway. The 4,250-pound SUV can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 7.5 seconds, offering a level of performance that adds a little excitement to the daily drive.

Beyond its punchy engine, the Sorento also impresses with its handling. The steering is responsive and precise, giving the driver a connected feel to the road. This agility makes it one of the better-handling midsize SUVs available, navigating winding roads and tight parking lots with confidence and ease.

Tech That Makes Life Easier

Kia has packed the Sorento with smart, user-friendly technology designed to simplify your daily routine and enhance your safety.

Intuitive Infotainment

At the heart of the dashboard is a brilliant infotainment system. The large touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate, with a clear menu structure that doesn’t require a deep dive into a user manual. It comes loaded with helpful features, including built-in vehicle diagnostics and an incredibly useful 360-degree camera system that makes parking in tight spots a breeze.

Advanced Safety Features

The Sorento comes equipped with a suite of innovative safety technologies designed to give you peace of mind.

• Blind-Spot View Monitor: This clever system goes a step beyond a simple warning light. When you activate your turn signal, a live video feed from a camera mounted on the side mirror appears in your digital instrument cluster, showing you exactly what’s in your blind spot.
• Digital Rearview Mirror: With the flip of a switch, the standard rearview mirror can transform into a digital screen, displaying a live feed from a rear-mounted camera. This provides a clear, unobstructed view behind you, even if the cargo area is packed to the ceiling or you have tall passengers in the back.
• Smart Hands-Free Liftgate: Loading groceries or sports gear with your hands full is no longer a struggle. Unlike systems that require you to awkwardly kick or wave your foot under the bumper, the Sorento's liftgate is much simpler. Just stand two to three feet behind the vehicle with the key fob in your pocket or bag. After three seconds, the vehicle will beep, and the power liftgate will open automatically.

The Complete Package for Modern Families

The Kia Sorento rises above the competition by refusing to compromise. It delivers the space, safety, and practicality families need without sacrificing the style, technology, and driving dynamics they want. With its range of efficient powertrains, head-turning design, and a cabin filled with truly useful innovations, the Sorento is more than just a people-mover—it's a thoughtfully crafted vehicle that makes every journey, from the school run to a cross-country road trip, a little more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that checks all the boxes, the Kia Sorento deserves to be at the top of your list.

Source: Business Insider